Gaede, Gators dump C-G

Michelle Gaede wasn't worried that she failed to score in the first half.

The Crystal Lake South junior realized there would be more scoring opportunities during the final 16 minutes of Tuesday's Fox Valley Conference Valley Division showdown against Cary-Grove.

Scoring all of her game-high 15 points in the second half, Gaede's effort helped lift the Gators to a 58-48 win over Cary-Grove in Cary.

"We have such a balanced team," said Gaede. "We have seven players who can be high scorer in a game. I felt I was more open in the second half. After I hit a couple of shots I feel I was in a groove."

With her team trailing Cary-Grove (15-5, 2-1) 30-28 at halftime, Gaede came out sniping in the second half. She canned a 15-footer, hit a layup and connected on a 3-pointer at the top of the key in scoring the Gators' first 7 points of the second half. A 2-point deficit became a 5-point 35-30 advantage with 5:12 left in the third.

A Claire Jakubicek layup pulled the Trojans within 3, 35-32, with 4:12 left. That was as close as Cary-Grove would get.

The Gators' biggest lead was 11, 50-39, after 2 free throws from Jenny Hanrahan with 6:44 left.

South sealed the win with 8 free throws in the final minute including 5-of-6 from Gaede.

Gaede was aided by 13 points from Katie Burton and 11 from Caitlin Mize. Mize also grabbed 11 rebounds and dealt out 4 assists.

The Gators got out of the gate slow. Led by 5 points from Meg Straumann Cary-Grove got off to a 10-1 lead with 5:12 left in the first quarter.

"We were prepared and didn't handle the pressure early on," said South coach Kyle McCaughn. "We gave up some silly baskets. We staved off their run and woke up."

Jakubicek, who sprained her ankle in the third quarter, missed 4 minutes but returned to score 14 points. Christina Bear added 13 and Straumann scored 12 with 6 assists and 5 steals.

Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert was unavailable for comment after the game.